Phase equilibria in systems Ce-M-Sb (M=Si, Ge, Sn) and superstructure Ce12Ge9−xSb23+x (x=3.8±0.1)

Phase relations in the ternary systems Ce-M-Sb (M=Si, Ge, Sn) in composition regions CeSb₂-Sb-M were studied by optical and electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and electron probe microanalysis on arc-melted alloys and specimens annealed in the temperature region from 850 to 200 °C. The results, in combination with an assessment of all literature data available, were used to construct solidus surfaces and a series of isothermal sections. No ternary compounds were found to form in the Ce-Si-Sb system whilst Ce₁₂Ge_9−xSb_23+x (3.3<x<4.2) and CeSn_xSb₂ (0.1<x<0.8) participate in phase equilibria in the composition region investigated. Crystallographic parameters for the ternary compound Ce₁₂Ge_9−xSb_23+x (x=3.8±0.1) were determined from X-ray single crystal and powder diffraction. For the binary system Ge-Sb a eutectic was defined L⇔(Ge)+(Sb) at 591.6 °C and 22.5 at%. Ge EPMA revealed a maximal solubility of 6.3 at% Ge in (Sb) at the eutectic temperature.